Lord Sebastian Coe is favourite in the race to be the new boss of the BBC

OLYMPICS chief Lord Coe is the front-runner to replace Lord Patten as chairman of the BBC, it was claimed yesterday.

Tory peer and Olympic hero Lord Coe is expected to succeed Lord Patten as chairman of the BBC[STUART ROBINSON]

The former champion athlete, who sits in the House of Lords as a ­Conservative peer and was an MP for five years, is said to have the support of the Government to take up the role as head of the BBC Trust.

ITV News political editor Tom Bradby said yesterday: “I have been told this lunchtime by a senior ­Government source that Sebastian Coe is now the clear front-runner to be the next chair of the BBC Trust.

“There are a few hurdles left to clear and obstacles that can be placed in his way, but I am told he is interested and that he enjoys the firm support of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.

"Given that this is basically a Number 10 appointment, that should more or less settle it.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson gave his backing to the man who helped steer London 2012 to success.

He said: “I think it’s fantastic news for the BBC and British broadcasting.

I have been told this lunchtime by a senior ­Government source that Sebastian Coe is now the clear front-runner to be the next chair of the BBC Trust

Tom Bradby, ITV News political editor

"Seb Coe is a great leader.

“I’ve worked with him a lot over the last few years and I think he’ll demand very high standards of the BBC but I think he’ll be in exactly the right tradition of British broadcasting.

"It’s a first rate choice.”

Other names linked to the role include Dame Marjorie Scardino, the former chief executive of the company behind the Financial Times, and Channel 4 chairman Lord Burns.

Lord Patten stood down in May for health reasons after a turbulent three years during which he weathered storms including ones over excessive executive pay and the disastrous Diamond Jubilee coverage.

Former BBC executive Roger Mosey, who masterminded the corporation’s Olympics coverage, welcomed the news but repeated his call for reform of the BBC Trust – the broadcaster’s governing body.

Mr Mosey, whose career at the BBC included stints as editor of the Today programme, controller of Radio 5 Live and head of television news, said: “Seb Coe would be a great choice as BBC chairman.

"But the Trust role as now constituted is undoable: can’t be both regulator and cheerleader.”